Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1887-07-02
LOSING HIS GRIP.
Some Mistakes Made by Grover,
the "Reformer."

the "Reformer."
Minneapolis Journal.
When Mr.. Cleveland went fishing a
few weeks ago it would have been i'm
possible to find anybody who seriously
doubted that he would receive the nom-
ination of his party next year. All ques-
ton as to his desire for denomination
had been pretty effectually disposed Of
by the Vest incident.
1t was also apparent that at that time
Mr.. Cleveland was a very strong candi-
date. There seemed to be good reason
to belieye that his chances to succeed
himself were as good as for the success
of any man the Republicans might NOM
mate.
Mr.. Cleveland was also contemplating
a western trip IN which he was to be &C.
companied by his much admired wife,
whose popularity has unquestionably
added greatly to the political prospects
of her husband. That trip would IL
doubtedly have added to his strength as
a candidate. 1t was probably planned
with that as the principal object in view.
Such was the situation when the imam
of destiny" returned from his fishingex-
petition in the Adirondacks.
But scarcely had the country been in
formed that the president was 'back at
his desk" when tho rebel flag order was
issued. If anybody has occasion to re-
greet that order it is the man who issued
it. Whether issued for the sake of MAX
ing political capital for himself in the
south, or whether it was simply a stupid
blunder, makes very little difference in
the effect which it has already had OH his
political prospects. The order was dis
astrous in The north, and it's recall was a
disappointment in the south.
Mr.. Cleyeland has a record which the
north had pretty nearly forgotten, it was
made so gradually. The north had well
nigh forgotten his sneering vetoes Of the
private pension bill; the turning ofthou-
ands of union soldiers out of Office and
the appointment of ex-~confedcrates to
their places has been passed by as ono Of
the inevitable evils of such a political
change; the lowering of the flag in honor
of that vile traitor who sought to import
disease and incendiarism into northern
| cities, while no such honor was shown
4 al tho death OF All honored vice president
| of exemplary virtues and noblest char
acter, had been allowed to pass without
serious protest |; the oulogy which he
was pleased to pronounce upon a con-
| federate general while he could not find
time to attend tho unwilling of monu-
ment to union veterans was only regar-
ded with surprise, and even the unseemly
act of the chief magistrate Of the nation
going fishing on decoration day instead
of taking tho leading part in decorating
tho graves OF the loyal dead was over
looked, but when tho order to return the
trophies of the victory OF right oyer
wrong, of loyalty over treason came it
not only created MI outburst of indigna-
ton on its own account but it has served
10 revive the memory of all this previous
record Of heartlessness and injustice
and indignity towards the old soldiers
and to mind these other regretted and
now inexcusable acts. Tho country is
now awake to the real situation. 1t is
impossible to watch the change in pub
lie opinion as it is reflected by tho pres
ident's journalistic friends and foes, and
to read the sentiments of patriotic men,
without respect to party without being
convinced that Cleveland has dug his
political grave and has dug it deep. Tho
opposition to him in his WI party has
grown boldor and the question of Il can
didate is again regarded as an unsettled
one. This opposition feeds upon the
distrust of the party managers who be-
gin to fear that Mr.. Cleveland may have
committed a fatal blundor. We believe
lie has and that this feeling will continue
to grow upon his party till Mr.. Cleve-
land will III longer be regarded rs an
available candidate. But if 1t should not
come to that. and he should be able to Sc
cure the nomination after all, he will
have too many things to answer for to
make him q formidable candidate. Mr..
Cleveland is surely and not very slowly
loosing his grip.
The Earl of Aberdeen. y
Willard Leader.